Pipe-threading machine.



J. E. SULLIVAN.

PIPE THBEADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12, 1912.

Patented June 9, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Inventor 4 4Z b y /l ff,

Attorneys 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented June 9, 1914.

Inventor Attorneys JLMES E. SULLIVAN, OF DENVER,- CGLOBAIDO.

PIPE-THREADING MAGHINE.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented June 9, 1914.

Application med september 12, 11.112. staremo. 720,078.-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it' known that I, JAMES E. SULLIVAN,

a' citizen of the United States, residing at.

Denver, in the county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful Pipe-Threading Machine, of which the following is a specification.

@ne object of the present invention is to provide novel means for gripping a pipe while the same is being threaded.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of mechanism for advancing opposed cutters toward eachother to fashion a tapered thread upon the pipe.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for actuating said mechanism, from the element whereby the cutters are rotated to fashion the thread.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of invention herein disclosed can be made within thc scope of what is claimed Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the draWings,-Figure 1 showsthe invention in longitudinal section; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the pipe-holding means; Fig; 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1'; Fig. 5 is a perspective of the pawl whereby motion is transmitted to the means for cutting-thetapered thread; and Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are side elevations of ratchet wheels which may be employed interchangeably in connection with the pawl shown in Fig. 5.

Referring toFig. 1 of the drawings, that end of the machine to which the reference character A is applied will be considered the forward end, that end of the machine to which the reference character B is applied being considered the rear end, descriptive terms being selected accordingly.

In carrying out the invention there is provided a spindle 1, about which is disposed a sleeve 2, having at its forward end a head 3, the rear face of which is cone-shaped as indicated at 4, the head 3 being provided with wrench faces 5. Outstanding from the sleeve 2 is a primary annular rib 6 provided with radial slots 7. Outstanding from the sleeve 2 and disposed to the rear of the primary annular rib 6 is a'secondary rib 8, prories, adjacent its periphery, Y

vided with radial slots 9, alined longitud'inally of the spindle 1 with the slots 7 of the primary annular 'rib 6. To the rear of the secondary r1ng'8 is located an auxiliary ring \10 which is devoid of slots and' is slidablc longitudinally of the sleeve 2. At its rear end, the sleeve 2' is threaded as indicated at 11 to engage with the interior of a nut 12, the spindle 1 terminating at its rear end in a; reduced, threaded portion 1'4 engaged with the rearend wall 14"L of the sleeve 2. Surrounding -the rear end of the sleeve 2 and abutting against the nut 12 is a cone 15.

The invention further includes a series of pipe grips 16, preferably taking the form of fiat plates, the pipe grips 16 being provided with beveled ends 17' adapted to be engaged by the cone face'4 of the head 3 and' by the cone 15. The pipe grips 16 are located in the slots 7 and 9 of the ribs 6 and 8, respectively, the pipe grips 16 being provided in their inner edges with notches 18 which receive the auxiliary ring 10. All of the grips 16 are connected by the ring 10 for-simultaneous movement. In the outer edges of the pipe gripsv 16 there are notches 52, alined transversely of the device, and in these notches 52 is located a spring band 19, the function, of which is to draw the pipe grips yieldingly toward the axis of the spindle 1 and to maintain the pipe grips in the slots 7 and 9 of the ribs 6 and 8, respectively.

The forward extremity of the spindle 1 is reduced and threaded as indicated at 20 and mounted upon the threaded end 2O is a nutV plate 27. Mounted in the plate 27 and ex tended across the recess 26 is a pivot element 28 carrying a pawl 29 constrained by a spring 30 which is located in the recess 26, to engage with the toothed periphery of the ratchet wheel 24. The ratchet wheel 24 cara pair of oppositeiy disposed, rearward -projecting tool posts 31- provided with guides 3211i; which reciprocate studs 33 carrying back pla-tes 34 provided with yokes 35 into which are threaded set screws 36 adapted to hold the cutting tools 37. One stud 33 of each air carries a 4tubular bearing 38 into whlc is threaded a lead screw 39,the lead screw 39 being rotatable in the tool posts 31. The lead screw 39 is right-hand threaded into one bearing 38 and is left-hand threaded into the other bearing 38, sothat when the lead screw 39 is rotated, the backing plates 34 and the tools 37 will be advanced toward each other and retracted from each other, depending u on the direction of rotation imparted to t e lead screw 39. In its intermediate portion, the lead screw 39 is reduced in diameter as shown at 40 so as to enga e against longitudinal movement with t e spindle 1, aswill be understood best when Fig. 2 is examined. The lead screw 39 is equipped adjacent its ends with abutments 41 receiving ratchet wheels 42 held in place by means of hand wheels 43.

A means isA provided whereby rotatory motion may be imparted to one of the ratchet wheels 42 and consequently to the lead screw 39. This means includes a pawl shown in clearest outline in Fig. 5 and denoted by the numeral 44, the awl 44 having upon one edge a rectangularl;7 disposed lug 45 adapted to engage one edge of the lever 25, the pawl being provided with a finger 46 which projects beyond one end face of the pawl, the finger 46 outstanding beyond one side face of the pawl. A pivot element 47 unites the pawl 44 movably with the lever 25. A retractile spring 48, preferably of helical form, is united with the pawl 44 intermediate the ends of the pawl, one end of the spring being secured to the lever 25, as shown to best advantage in Fig. 4. The spring 48 when ositioned as shown in Fi 4, serves to hol the lug 45 engaged wit one edge of the lever 25, the lug constituting means for limiting the movement of the pawl under the action of the sprin 48. The pawl 44 may be rotated upon its pivotal mounting 47 until the spring 48 swings across the pivot 47, whereupon the lu 45 will engage again with the edge of the ever 25, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. WVhen the pawl 44 is positioned as shown in solid line in Fig. 4, the pawl is adapted to engage with the ratchet wheel 42, but when the pawl is positioned as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, the lever 25 may be swung upon its fulcrum without causing the pawl 44 to actuate the ratchet wheel 42.

If desired, the ratchet wheel 42 may be replaced by other ratchet wheels 49, 50 and 51, shown respectively in Fi s. 6, 7 and 8.

Operation: The pipe w ich is to be threaded is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and under one lmethod of operation, the

, pipe 'is gripped in a vise or other holding structure. A wrench may be Vap lied to the wrench faces 5 of the head 3 o the sleeve 2, or the nut 12 may be rotated. Under either of the circumstances above referred to, the sleeve 2 will be moved longitudinally, the inclined face 4 of the head upon the-one hand, and the cone 15 upon the other hand,

being thrust toward each other, to engage with the beveled ends 17 of the pipe grips 16. The pipe grips 16 will thus be forced radially of the spindle 1 and outwardly, so as to grip and to center the spindle on the pipe. Since the pi e grips 16 are mounted to slide in the s ots 7 of the primary rib 6 and in the slots 9 of the secondary rib 8, it will be seen that these ribs constitute guides to direct the radial, outward movement of the pipe grips 16. Because the notches 18 in the pipe grips 16 are engaged with the auxiliary ring 10, the auxiliary ring 10 and the notches 18 constitute interengaging elements preventing the independent individual movement of the pipe gri S 16 longitudinally of the sleeve 2. When t e operation above outlined has been completed, the pipe'will be centered with respect to the spindle 2 and will be held upon the sleeve 2 securely.

The cutting tools 37 are rotated about the periphery of the pipe to effect a cutting of the threads of the pipe. In carrying out this operation, the lever 25 is swung to and fro upon the nut 21 as a fulcrum. Under such circumstances, the pawl 29 which is pivotally carried by the lever 25 will en age the toothed periphery of the ratchet W eel 24, imparting a rotation to the ratchet wheel. When the ratchet wheel is thus rotated, the tool osts 31 and the yokes 35 carrying the too s 37 will 'be rotated around the pipe, causing the cutting of a thread in the pipe. Durin this cuttin operation, the rotation of tie ratchet weel 24 will impart rotation to the spindle 1, the threaded end 14 of which, engagingthe end Wall 14l of the sleeve 2, will cause the spindle 1 to move longitudinally in the sleeve 2, thereby moving the cutting tools 37 and deining the pitch in the thread which is being cut.

The crank 22, being connected with the ratchet wheel 24, is used to impart rapid movement to the pipe holding means to change the relative and the pipe.

In order to cut a tapered thread upon the pipe, the pawl 44 ma be swung from the dotted line position o Fi 4 into the solid line position of Fig. 4. T e finger 46 of the pawl will thereupon engage the ratchet wheel 42, relative movement between the pawl 44 and the lever 25 being prevented by the engagement between the lug 45 of the pawl 44 and one edge of the lever. When the finger 46 of the pawl engages the positions of said means n lea `aai-ew 39 throughthe medium ofoneor *MUM what Wheel 42, rotatory .movement YWill-lit!" lmarfd to the leadatrw. 8a, the ma. 39 engaging the hearings wand cawbot 'of the hand wheels 43.

aving thus described the invention, w t is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, a sleeve .havin a conical head, theA sleeve having a slotte rib; pipe grips slidable in the rib; and a ring slidable von the. sleeve, the

grips having openings receiving the ring to preventJ individual movement oi the grips with respect to the sleeve; and a cone movable longitudinally of thel sleeve, the rip and the cone.

having inclined edges engaging the 2. In a device of the class described, a shaft; pipe gripping means thereon; a member rotatable with the shaft as a center; a tool-holder slidable radially of the supporting structure; and a lead screw journaled in the rotatable member and threaded into the tool-holder, the lead screw llbeing engaged with the shaft to prevent longitudinal movement of the lead screw.

3. In a device of the class described, a shaft; pipe-grippin means` thereon; a member rotatable wit the shaft as a center; a tool-holder slidable radially of the supporting structure; and a lead screw journaled in the rotatable member and threaded into the tool-holder, the lead screw extending transversely of the shaft and having a reduced, concaved portion, bearing against the outside of the shaft to revent longitudinal movement of the lead) screw on the shaft.

4. In a device of the class described, a su portin structure; pipe-gripping means adjustab e longitudinally of the supporting structure; a member rotatable u on the supportin structure; a pair of -toolelders held upon t e member to rotate therewith around the supporting structure and-to slide upon the member radially of the supporting structure; a lead screw held for rotation in the supporting structure, the lead screw being right hand threaded into one tool-holder and -being left-hand threaded into the other toolholder; a vdevice for rotating the member tov cut the thread; means carried by said device V for actuating the lead screw'to impart a taper to the thread; and means for producing relative longitudinal movement between tools 37 with respect to the pi e t strulllo; anember rotatable upon the su porting structure; tool-holders held u on t e member te rotate therewith around t e su portlll atrleturc and to slide upon v e 'member radially of the supporting structure; a. leadscrew rotatable in said member, h? SOHW bol-ng right-hand threaded into one class described, a suptool holder and being left-hand threaded into the. other topi-holder; means for imparting rotatory movement to the member; means for imparting rotatory movement to the lead screw; and means for producing relative longitudinal movement between the supporting structure and the gripping means.

6. in a device of the class described, a s u porting structure; pipe-gripping' means agjustable longitudinally of the supporting structure; a member rotatable upon the supporting structure; tool-holders held upon the member to rotate therewith around the supporting' structure and to slide upon the member radially of the supporting structure; a lever fulcrumed upon the supporting structure; means for operatively connectin the lever with the rotatable member a lead screw mounted in the rotatable member,'the lead screw being right-hand threaded into one tool-holder and being left-hand threaded into the other'tool-holder; a ratchet wheel upon the leaf screw; a pawl pivoted to the lever and adapted to engage the ratchet wheel; interen aging elements upon the pawl and upon t e lever adapted to limit the movement of the pawl in one direction upon the lever; and means for producing relative longitudinal movement between the supportin structure 'and the gripping means.

In a device of the class described, a sleeve rovided at one end: with a conical head, t e sleeve being provided with primary and secondary annular ribs and with a slidable auxiliary ring, the primary and secondary ribs having radial sl'ots; pipe-grips mounted to slide in the slots, each gri having a notch engaging the auxiliary ring to prevent theV individual longitudinal movement of the grips with respect to the sleeve,

the grips having transverse o enings; a prehensile spring engaged in t e openings; a ,cone mounted upon the other end of the sleeve, the grips havin inclined edges adapted to engage the hea and the cone; a nut threaded upon the sleeve and adapted to engage the cone; a spindle located within the sleeve and having threaded engagement with the sleeve;-means for rotating the spindle; and a pipe-cutter. supported for rotation upon .the spindle. p

8. In a device of the class described, a supporting structure; pipe gripping means movable longitudinally of the supporting struciure; a member rotatable upon the supporting structure; a tool-holder held upon the member to rotate therewith around the suprting structure and to slide upon the memr radially of the sup ortin structure' means for producin l"re ative ongitudinal movement between e sup ortin rstructure and the grippin means to eline t 'e itch of the thread; an a. lead screw threa `ed into the tool-holder, the lead screw and the supporting structure having interenxgaging my own, I have hereto aflxed my slgnature in the presence of two witnesse,

JAMES E. SULLIVAN.

Witnesses: i

C'. `B. Hmsm, JOHN' 'FALL 

